Belleview man accused of trying to arrange sex with teen boy

Published: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 1:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 1:14 p.m.

A man who deputies said went to a hotel to have sex with a teenage boy was charged Wednesday night with interference with child custody, traveling to meet a minor for sex, solicitation of a minor for sex using electronic device and conspiracy to commit lewd and lascivious battery.

Kenneth Eugene Devore, 62, of Belleview, was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.

Detective Mike Dodd and Inspector Mike Mongeluzzo investigated the case. The 15-year-old boy told them he had met "Ken" on a chat app for homosexuals in January. The next month, the teen said, he and "Ken" agreed to meet for a sexual activity. He said he went to an area near the man's home and took some cash from the man, but they did not have sex, according to reports.

The teen told the officials he deleted the app from his phone but, in late March, downloaded it again and contacted "Ken." He said in April, he asked "Ken" to purchase a pizza in return for a sexual favor, but they never met, reports note.

On Sunday, the juvenile said, he contacted "Ken" and they met at a hotel in Belleview. He said "Ken" bought him an airline ticket to New York and there was a discussion about sex, but they never had sex. The boy said the man knew he was 15 and claimed "Ken" told him about having sex with 13- and 14-year-old boys in Ohio, reports note.

On Monday, the teen flew to New York but was picked up by Port Authority Police and sent back to Florida. The detectives learned that he and "Ken" planned to meet Wednesday night.

The officials obtained a photograph of the man, who was identified as Devore, a native of Ohio. They followed Devore from his home to the hotel in Belleview, where he was taken into custody.

According to reports, Devore admitted talking with the teenager and going to the hotel for sex. He alleged he and the teen had previous sexual contact and said the boy told him he was 18. He said the teen made up the story about him having sex with two boys in Ohio.

Devore remained at the jail Thursday, in lieu of bond in the amount of $50,000.

<p>A man who deputies said went to a hotel to have sex with a teenage boy was charged Wednesday night with interference with child custody, traveling to meet a minor for sex, solicitation of a minor for sex using electronic device and conspiracy to commit lewd and lascivious battery.</p><p>Kenneth Eugene Devore, 62, of Belleview, was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.</p><p>Detective Mike Dodd and Inspector Mike Mongeluzzo investigated the case. The 15-year-old boy told them he had met "Ken" on a chat app for homosexuals in January. The next month, the teen said, he and "Ken" agreed to meet for a sexual activity. He said he went to an area near the man's home and took some cash from the man, but they did not have sex, according to reports.</p><p>The teen told the officials he deleted the app from his phone but, in late March, downloaded it again and contacted "Ken." He said in April, he asked "Ken" to purchase a pizza in return for a sexual favor, but they never met, reports note.</p><p>On Sunday, the juvenile said, he contacted "Ken" and they met at a hotel in Belleview. He said "Ken" bought him an airline ticket to New York and there was a discussion about sex, but they never had sex. The boy said the man knew he was 15 and claimed "Ken" told him about having sex with 13- and 14-year-old boys in Ohio, reports note.</p><p>On Monday, the teen flew to New York but was picked up by Port Authority Police and sent back to Florida. The detectives learned that he and "Ken" planned to meet Wednesday night.</p><p>The officials obtained a photograph of the man, who was identified as Devore, a native of Ohio. They followed Devore from his home to the hotel in Belleview, where he was taken into custody.</p><p>According to reports, Devore admitted talking with the teenager and going to the hotel for sex. He alleged he and the teen had previous sexual contact and said the boy told him he was 18. He said the teen made up the story about him having sex with two boys in Ohio.</p><p>Devore remained at the jail Thursday, in lieu of bond in the amount of $50,000.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>